Note: Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via BoardDocs by clicking on the corresponding agenda items.
Public Hearing for Bond Proposal
The Board of Education held a public hearing on the $283 million tax-rate-neutral bond proposal. If the majority of residents vote Nov. 7 in favor of the proposal, the District will rebuild Hillcrest and Brighton high schools; significantly renovate Alta High; rebuild Union Middle; rebuild Peruvian Park Elementary, Midvalley Elementary and a White City-area elementary school; replace the portables at Corner Canyon High; build a new west Draper Elementary; build new front offices at six elementary schools; and complete natural-lighting projects at 18 elementary schools.
The following residents addressed the Board during the public hearing:
- Corner Canyon High PTSA President Kathryn Myers said she supported the proposal.
- Patron Steve Van Maren said he does not disagree with addressing the building needs in the District. However, he said he disagrees with the way the finance plan is structured.
- Darrell Smith, former mayor of Draper, said the bond proposal address both facilty needs and growth. The impact to taxpayers is always a concern, he said, but voiced support for the proposal.
- Patron Betty Shaw said that although she doesn’t have any children in schools, she supports the bond so the community’s children are provided the best-possible education. She urged the Board to act now before interest rates and construction costs go up.
- Parent Angie Overbaugh said she’s an advocate of the bond proposal. She said the Board was fiscally responsible with the $250 million bond approved by voters in 2010. She said the 2017 bond proposal will provide secure and modern schools. New and improved schools also will increase property values, she said
- Parent Lisanne Pepper told the Board she supports the bond proposal and urged the communities that benefited from the 2010 bond to help provide those same kinds of facilities to other parts of the District.
- Region 17 PTA Director Tonya Rhodes said the PTA has taken a position to support the bond. She read the statement of support.
- Teacher and CSD resident Jerry Christensen said he supports the bond proposal.
Progress Report on Board’s Vision and Mission
Research and Assessments Director Dr. Hal Sanderson updated the Board of Education on the Board’s vision and mission. In the Board’s guiding tenet of Community Engagement, in 2016-2017, the District counted 12,672 volunteers who logged 257,380 hours of service. This tally increased from 11,675 volunteers in the previous school year. In addition, 100 percent of CSD principals, 71 percent of School Community Council chairs, and 53 percent of SCC members attended the District-provided professional development for SCCs. In the tenet of Customer Service, 3.7 million people visited the Canyons website and spent an average of 3.2 minutes on each web page visited. Sanderson also reported that, in last year’s Parent Satisfaction Survey, 89 percent of CSD parents responded favorably to the question “I am pleased with how much my child in learning,” and 86 percent agreed with the statement “I am pleased with how this school supports my child’s emotional well-being.” Some 6,816 parents completed the survey. As for students, of the 858 graduating seniors who responded to the District’s survey, 78 percent said they were satisfied with the quality of education they received in CSD. In last year’s Teacher Satisfaction Survey, of the 887 teachers who responded to the poll, 71 percent said they were satisfied with their jobs in CSD. This is up from 63 percent in 2015-2016. In the tenet of Innovation, 26 percent of teachers have earned level-one certification in the instructional use of technology, which is about halfway to the point the Board would like the District to be in 2019. Last year, 74 percent participated in opt-in district-level professional development, and 25 percent of those were in PD classes for one to 10 hours. Eight percent participated in some 50 hours of PD to enhance their pedagogy. In 2016-2017, at least 92 unique PD opportunities were offered to CSD’s licensed employees. The Board also reviewed and discussed innovative programs that have been launched to positively impact student achievement. Those programs include the Supplemental Hours of Instruction for Kindergarten Students; the Husky Strong Academy; Alta High’s Step2theU; Elementary School Brain Boosters; Dual Language Immersion Programs; Canyons Virtual High School and Diamond Ridge High; and the District’s United Way partnership. In the tenet of Fiscal Accountability, the Board was updated on the District’s AAA bond rating, the 100 percent compliance on the Annual Audit; and the national awards received every year since 2010 for the District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and budget book.
Calendar Committee Appointments
Board members Amber Shill and Mont Millerberg have agreed to serve on the District’s Calendar Committee, which crafts and proposes a calendar for every academic year. By policy, the Calendar Committee is made up of teachers, administrators, Education Support Professionals, members of the PTA/PTSA, and School Community Councils or at-large representatives.
Pledge of Allegiance
The colors were posted and Pledge of Allegiance led by Cub Pack 3230, made up of students who attend Quail Hollow Elementary. Quail Hollow Elementary Principal Shad DeMill delivered the reverence.
Recognitions
The Board of Education recognized Midvale Middle students Abigail Slama-Catron and Eric Snaufer, along with two students from the Beehive Science and Technology Academy, Allison Drennan and Timothy Holt. The students won the regional President’s Environmental Youth Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Slama-Catron and Snaufer also advanced in Broadcom Master’s, the nation’s most prestigious science, technology, engineering and math science fair competition. The Board also recognized teachers, students, principals, Achievement Coaches, and administrators for CSD’s above-the-state-average scores on the Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE) tests. Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward, Director of Instructional Supports, was applauded for leading the District’s research-based instructional practices since the District’s founding in 2009.
Report from the Canyons Education Foundation
Canyons Education Foundation Development Officer Laura Barlow reported on the progress of the fundraising arm of the District. Barlow reported that, last year, the annual spring gala raised $50,500, an increase of some $5,000 from the previous year. The golf tournament, held on Monday, raised some $62,000, an increase of more than $7,000 over the previous year. Funds raised at the event goes directly to students and teachers in the District. She also reported on the new members of the Foundation Board; the creation of partnerships with local businesses to provide growth opportunities for students; and donation drives. In August, the Foundation partnered with Z104FM to collect school supplies and raise money to help low-income students go back to school with full backpacks. She also updated the Board on the new members of the Foundation, including the CEO of Lone Peak Hospital and the presidents of the Sandy and Draper chambers of commerce.
Superintendent and Business Administrator Reports
Canyons Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe congratulated the winners of the 2017 Apex Awards. He also thanked the Canyons Education Foundation staff for planning and executing a successful golf tournament.
Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said that salary increases for teachers were implemented on the Friday, Sept. 15 paychecks. Wilcox also reported on the bond proposal presentation given to the Draper City Council. He also publicly bid his wife a happy anniversary.
Board Reports
Mr. Chad Iverson and Mrs. Clareen Arnold deferred their comments.
Mrs. Nancy Tingey mentioned her attendance at the SCC and PTA luncheon with Superintendent Briscoe. She expressed gratitude to the parents who volunteer in school-leadership capacities. She also attended the Albion Middle “Fun Run” and Ridgecrest Elementary’s 50th birthday party. She also thanked Amber Shill, Mont Millerberg and Steve Wrigley for attending a leadership retreat hosted by the Utah School Boards Association.
Mrs. Amber Shill expressed appreciation for the administration for their hard work in overseeing the District. She also attended the Brighton High School Community Council.
Mr. Steve Wrigley reported on the bond-proposal presentation given to the White City Township Council. He also expressed appreciation for the winners of the 2017 Apex Awards. He also thanked the staff for organizing the event. He also reported on attending the USBA leadership conference.
Mr. Mont Millerberg reported on the bond-proposal presentation given to the Midvale City Council. He said Mayor JoAnn Seghini offered to write a message to residents in support of the bond proposal. He also reported on meeting with a group that is actively planning for the future of Hillcrest High. He also reported on attending the USBA leadership conference and the CSD Foundation Golf Tournament.
Board President Sherril H. Taylor thanked staff for planning the Apex Awards. He also expressed appreciation for the service of Board members. He wished employee Carolyn Larsen a speedy recovery after suffering an injury while working with students. He thanked central-office staff, teachers and Education Support Professionals for keeping the district running smoothly.
